Education  July 1, 2015

CU study identifies compounds used in fracking that could threaten drinking water

A study released by the University of Colorado Boulder on Tuesday found that 15 organic chemical compounds used in the oil and gas extraction process of fracking “may be of concern” as groundwater contaminants.

The study evaluated 659 such compounds used in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, on characteristics like toxicity, mobility, persistence and frequency of use. The study found that 41 of them would have “10 percent or more of their initial concentrations remaining at a transport distance of roughly 300 feet.” That distance was used as a benchmark because it is the average “setback” for cracked wells from drinking water wells.

While 15 of the 41 compounds found to be so mobile were considered threats, the other 26, the study’s authors said, were very rare.

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CU engineering professor and principal investigator of the study Joseph Ryan said that the study could alleviate some concerns about the use of fracking.

“But it also demonstrates a subset of these compounds could result in potentially hazardous exposures following spills or well failures,” Ryan said in a CU press release.

A study released by the University of Colorado Boulder on Tuesday found that 15 organic chemical compounds used in the oil and gas extraction process of fracking “may be of concern” as groundwater contaminants.

The study evaluated 659 such compounds used in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, on characteristics like toxicity, mobility, persistence and frequency of use. The study found that 41 of them would have “10 percent or more of their initial concentrations remaining at a transport distance of roughly 300 feet.” That distance was used as a benchmark because it is the average…

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